As the Uruguay Round global trade summit draws near • Bangladesh, like other least developed countries, appears to have resigned itself to swallowing yet another bitter pill like last December's GATT accord.

Left with little option but to fall in Une, the Ministry of Commerce, perhaps" more as an academic exercise, has suggested that a team of experts be appointed soon to examine the various annexures of the global trade accord, which Is to be available immediately after its signing during the summit beginning on the 12th' of this month in the southern Moroccan city of Marakkesh.

Officials of the ministry, talking to The Daily Star yesterday, said although the accord did not reflect the legitimate aspirations of the developing nations, they have no choice, but to sign it and try to take advantage of an open global market.

"We will have to prepare ourselves right from this moment

to face the challenges of the time, when all the special facilities for the least developed countries (LDCs) would be re-. moved", an official of the Commerce Ministry said, adding that the country would be nowhere in the world if It failed to face the challenges.

Describing the accord, finalised in December last year as uneven", he said the develop--Ing countries would have to be vocal against the trade restrictions being Imposed by the developed nations on grounds of human rights, environment and other issues.

In this regard, another official of the ministry also criticised the use of the "super 301" by the United States against Japan, saying that acts like the "super 301" would affect the fair implementation of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) accord.

In fact, the developing countries were divided into two groups on the question of signing the global trade accord. The LDCs accepted the accord for maintaining the aid flow, while the countries which are more dependent on trade rather than aid. consented to the accord on considerations of trade.

The two groups of countries would seriously be hit by some clauses incorporated In the accord by the developed countries unilaterally.

The clauses which are likely to affect the developing nations seriously relate to the removal of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA), the incorporation of the Trade Related Intelectual Property Rights (TRIPRs) and permitting foreign entrepreneurs or Arms in the services sector.

"What would happen when a foreign doctor starts practising in Dhaka or a foreign Chartered Accountancy firm sets up its office in Bangladesh. Or. for that matter, what would happen when the foreign entrepreneurs open bus services on various routes in the country?" the expert asked and said It would be terrible for a least developed country like Bangladesh.

The volume of trade of the 47 least developed countries out of the 117 involved in GATT is only 0.3 per cent of the total world trade.

This would have to be increased substantially through Increased cooperation among the developing nations if they really want to survive in the stiff competition, the experts observed.